Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnus
Length 150cm

Almost exclusively a winter visitor to Britain and Ireland from breeding grounds in Iceland and Scandinavia but has bred in Scotland; seen mainly from October to March. Similar size to mute swan but has black and yellow bill, triangular in profile; yellow wedge extends beyond nostrils. Holds neck upright. Usually seen in medium-sized flocks comprising many family groups; juvenile birds have pinkish buff plumage and pinkish white bills. Feeds on arable land and in wetlands. Often returns to traditional sites and easy to see at Caerlaverock on Solway Firth. Occurs locally elsewhere in Scotland and in N England and Ireland.